I hope she gets the actual license soon! I applies in Feb 2022, got appointment on Aug 2022 and got the temp license and I have yet to receive the card! it is almost a joke!
Ah! Lucky youz! Congrats. I am a bona-fided carrier of a Cartao de Cidadao, in Portugal on and off, and I have tried to exchange my California driver's license for several years. Unsuccessfully. In despair I was even resigned to go thru a driver's learning school and jump thru all the loops and cough up the ridiculous money they charge. Then the pandemic came and "tudo ficou em aguas de bacalhau". (If you understand this then you too merit a Cartao de Cidadão...). Thanks for the nicely written posts. I've enjoyed them all. I think you are a natural storyteller. You are the bomb!
I'm so sorry to hear you're going through more foot trouble. I hope you heal quickly. Truly, I had fun with the time I used a knee scooter after a surgery on my foot. It may have had something to do with being a kindergarten teacher at the time. There were plenty of elevators and I enjoyed racing the kids through the halls. I even made a Wonder Woman shield to attach to the front. Have fun with that thing!
I originally submitted my exchange request in April 2021, then resubmitted (as requested by IMT) in December of 2021, at which time they instructed me to wait fir notification of my appointment. Nothing since then, though I have written polite requests in Portuguese. Very frustrating.
We know someone here German speaks fluent Portuguese, English and has a company helping people navigating such problems - has the tenacity of a bull dog, she’s a great squeaky wheel been here years and helps people do all those pesky things from matriculating a car to exchanging a driving license and all aspects of relocation - helped Eric my husband get his license renewed at 70.
She has a small business called MrsFixit and is based near SB de Messines.
Nancy, Your story about Denise's license makes me wonder if something I read years ago about Portugal is true. It was a very interesting article comparing the bureaucratic obstacles between countries and how those obstacles impact metrics like GDP, unemployment, etc. As these articles often do, it highlighted some of the best and some of the worst and Portugal fell into the "some of the worst" category.
Anyhow, the author said that Portuguese bureaucracy is so complicated that a whole industry of "facilitators" exist. Their function is to represent a person seeking licensure, permits, whatever. He Was very clear though that they weren't a fast track to getting what you want...it wasn't just a way to throw money at the problem and get to the front of the line. They were just people who knew what needed to be done but would do it on your behalf and most of their job involved waiting in line.
Had my appointment at Faro in Oct and issued with a temporary paper license which expires on the 5 Apr. Tried to ring IMT no answer any tips on who to contact would be appreciated.
I hope she gets the actual license soon! I applies in Feb 2022, got appointment on Aug 2022 and got the temp license and I have yet to receive the card! it is almost a joke!
Great article. I’m so glad I was able to get my license, but it was unnerving to turn in my US one.
Ah! Lucky youz! Congrats. I am a bona-fided carrier of a Cartao de Cidadao, in Portugal on and off, and I have tried to exchange my California driver's license for several years. Unsuccessfully. In despair I was even resigned to go thru a driver's learning school and jump thru all the loops and cough up the ridiculous money they charge. Then the pandemic came and "tudo ficou em aguas de bacalhau". (If you understand this then you too merit a Cartao de Cidadão...). Thanks for the nicely written posts. I've enjoyed them all. I think you are a natural storyteller. You are the bomb!
I'm so sorry to hear you're going through more foot trouble. I hope you heal quickly. Truly, I had fun with the time I used a knee scooter after a surgery on my foot. It may have had something to do with being a kindergarten teacher at the time. There were plenty of elevators and I enjoyed racing the kids through the halls. I even made a Wonder Woman shield to attach to the front. Have fun with that thing!
I originally submitted my exchange request in April 2021, then resubmitted (as requested by IMT) in December of 2021, at which time they instructed me to wait fir notification of my appointment. Nothing since then, though I have written polite requests in Portuguese. Very frustrating.
Good luck with your foot! That sounds quite terrible!
We know someone here German speaks fluent Portuguese, English and has a company helping people navigating such problems - has the tenacity of a bull dog, she’s a great squeaky wheel been here years and helps people do all those pesky things from matriculating a car to exchanging a driving license and all aspects of relocation - helped Eric my husband get his license renewed at 70.
She has a small business called MrsFixit and is based near SB de Messines.
Christine Grundmann
mrsfixit.portugal@gmail.com
Nancy, Your story about Denise's license makes me wonder if something I read years ago about Portugal is true. It was a very interesting article comparing the bureaucratic obstacles between countries and how those obstacles impact metrics like GDP, unemployment, etc. As these articles often do, it highlighted some of the best and some of the worst and Portugal fell into the "some of the worst" category.
Anyhow, the author said that Portuguese bureaucracy is so complicated that a whole industry of "facilitators" exist. Their function is to represent a person seeking licensure, permits, whatever. He Was very clear though that they weren't a fast track to getting what you want...it wasn't just a way to throw money at the problem and get to the front of the line. They were just people who knew what needed to be done but would do it on your behalf and most of their job involved waiting in line.
Do "facilitators" actually exist over there?
Had my appointment at Faro in Oct and issued with a temporary paper license which expires on the 5 Apr. Tried to ring IMT no answer any tips on who to contact would be appreciated.
Yikes!! I would have pulled all my hair out by now. That’s just nuts.
I have a temporary driving license since last July. I am curious how long it takes to get the real one, now still with the temporary paper...